Exploring mindfulness as a tool for recognition and prevention of burnout in construction and engineering

Purpose
Employees in the construction and engineering sectors face significant risks of burnout and job stress due to high-pressure environments, tight deadlines and demanding workloads. These industries often require long hours and intense focus, leading to physical and mental exhaustion. The constant need to meet project goals and manage complex tasks can result in chronic stress, negatively impacting workers’ health and productivity. Without effective stress management strategies and organizational support, employees are at a heightened risk of experiencing burnout, which can lead to decreased job satisfaction, increased absenteeism and higher turnover rates.

Design/methodology/approach
The research employs a qualitative approach, utilizing semi-structured interviews with 32 professionals, including construction and engineering project team members and managers. Grounded in the job demands-resources theory, the study investigates the role of cognitive-behavioural techniques, specifically mindfulness, as a job resource to prevent burnout. The methodology focuses on exploring mindful well-being as a mitigation strategy and emphasizes the need for organizational mindfulness to create a supportive culture and systemic practices within construction and engineering organizations.

Findings
The research findings indicate that mindfulness-based practices can significantly help construction and engineering professionals recognize early warning signs of burnout, serving as a valuable personal resource. However, the study also emphasizes that sustainable solutions to burnout require organizational mindfulness. This involves fostering a supportive culture, implementing systemic practices and prioritizing such practices, within these organizations. By integrating mindfulness at both individual and organizational levels, the research suggests a comprehensive approach to effectively mitigate burnout and enhance overall well-being in these high-stress industries.

Originality/value
The originality and value of this research lie in its tendency to explain that while mindfulness is known and applied as a useful tool for recognizing and preventing burnout, it is not sufficient on its own. The research underscores the necessity of fostering an organizational culture that prioritizes mental health and well-being. Therefore, in addition to individual mindfulness, the research stresses the importance of organizational mindfulness to ensure a sustainable mitigation strategy for addressing job stress and burnout. This dual focus on individual and systemic approaches offers a holistic solution to enhance well-being and productivity in high-stress industries.